Patents Assigned to ACF Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 4282801
    Abstract: A fuel pump improvement comprises a leak proof seal formed between the fuel pump body and pumping element. The fuel pump body and a housing are clamped together to form a unified fuel pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter E. Basch, John W. Haney
  • Patent number: 4281951
    Abstract: In a container pedestal (10) a supplemental lock (42) is movable to a weighted position tending to maintain the spring (34) biased pedestal latch (22) from pivoting into a position to allow entry or exit of containers (C) from the pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Baker, Richard J. Mandrell
  • Patent number: 4280706
    Abstract: A seal is provided between an outlet mounting flange and a hopper mounting flange. The seal extends in-board of the inner hopper wall and includes a projection extending upwardly which engages the hopper wall. The seal further includes a tapered portion which extends inwardly and downwardly from the projection. Thus lading and pressure in the outlet act to urge the projection into engagement with the vertical wall and the tapered portion into engagement with its supporting surface. In one embodiment a void space is located below the projection which is compressed in assembly to create a tight fit of the seal against the hopper wall. In another embodiment an outer flange portion is provided which extends around the inner end of the hopper mounting flange to aid in positioning the seal for assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Vorwerk
  • Patent number: 4278107
    Abstract: An automatic vacuum relief valve assembly includes a cover plate closing an opening in a container to the atmosphere. A valve is vertically spaced below the cover plate and closes communication between the inside of the container and the outside atmosphere. A first passageway provides fluid communication between a first surface of the valve and the outside atmosphere. A second passageway provides fluid communication between the inside of the container and a second surface of the valve. When the pressure inside the container becomes less than atmospheric pressure, atmospheric pressure will cause the valve to move away from its seat and allow air to enter the container. When the pressure is equalized, the valve is biased to return to the seated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Dugge, Arnold Schlobohm
  • Patent number: 4268010
    Abstract: In a railway tank car bottom outlet lading valve assembly, an operating handle assembly for the lading valve includes an operating shaft extending vertically within a lading outlet chamber. The shaft is provided with a non-round shaft tool connection portion near the bottom thereof. An operating handle is pivotably mounted on the outlet chamber adjacent the non-round connection portion. The operating ratchet includes a handle non-round connection portion which engages the shaft non-round connection portion. A handle-storing bracket for the distal end of the operating handle is mounted upon the tank body or on an upper mounting flange portion of the outlet chamber adjacent a tank car bottom outlet mounting flange. The bracket is preferably U-shaped and includes a removable pin extending between opposite arms of the U-shaped bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gunter R. Behle
  • Patent number: 4265182
    Abstract: In a railway car truck a lower transom extends between transversely spaced side frames. The side frames include depressed portions having transversely aligned vertical openings or slots which receive spring groups. A bolster including a center connection extends between the side frames above the transom and rests on the spring groups. The side frames each include a hollow post extending upwardly between the spring groups. The bolster includes a depending post which surrounds the side frame post. A friction damping assembly including upper and lower wedges is located within the side frame post and the bolster post. The upper and lower wedges include rear wear plates which engage the side frame post. The upper and lower wedges include an opening to receive a spring extending upwardly from the side frame depressed portion. The lower wedge has at least one inclined surface which slidingly engages at least one inclined surface on the upper wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Neff, David P. Hillstead
  • Patent number: 4258830
    Abstract: The brake cylinder piston at its outer end is connected to a horizontal brake lever extending transversely of the car, which is connected generally at its mid-point to a first brake beam. The opposite end of the horizontal lever is connected to a first end of a slack adjuster which extends longitudinally and parallel to the brake cylinder. The opposite end of the slack adjuster is connected to a first end of a second horizontal lever. The opposite end of the second horizontal lever opposite the slack adjuster is fulcrumed to a fixed portion of the car. After the first brake beam engages its railway wheels, further outward movement of the piston rod pivots the first horizontal lever about this pivot point and moves the slack adjuster longitudinally of the car and in turn pivots the second horizontal lever about its fulcrum point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur C. Pearson, Robert A. Sieg
  • Patent number: 4239060
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention an air inlet and outlet valve is disclosed which automatically opens and closes when a bottom operable tank lading valve is opened and closed. The air valve is mounted adjacent the top of the tank and is in fluid communication by means of a conduit with an opening in the tank. The air valve is automatically opened and closed when the lading valve opens and closes by means of an air valve linkage including an operating shaft which extends from the lading valve up through the tank to operate the air valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia S. Stoller, John A. Krug, Jr., Gerald D. Garner
  • Patent number: 4225276
    Abstract: A trailer hitch head or fifth wheel is disclosed including a pair of jaws which engage the kingpin of a trailer to hold the kingpin in place. The jaws are held in closed position by a locking member which is biased to the engaged position by at least one stiff spring. A linkage engages the locking member to move the locking member to open position against the bias of the stiff spring. The linkage may be manually or automatically activated. A one-way kingpin gate is located in the front portion of the fifth wheel. The linkage engages an actuator which automatically engages the one-way gate and pivots the same to open position allowing exit of the kingpin. Preferably the linkage is automatically activated by a bumper bar linkage in a tractor operated hitch, and also may be manually activated by the operator. Optionally, a manually operable handle is provided including a keeper or projection which engages a slot in the locking member in open position to hold the locking member in open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Patricia S. Stoller, James C. Hammonds, Ronald D. Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 4200595
    Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine. A carburetor body has an induction passage for air to be drawn into the engine. A throttle valve is positioned in the induction passage and is movable between an open and a closed position to control the quantity of air drawn into the engine. A staging valve is positioned in the induction passage and is movable between an open and a closed position. The staging valve is closed during engine cranking and is moved to a first open position when the engine starts and toward its fully open position as the engine warms up. The opening movement of the staging valve is limited to a second open position which is less than its fully open position. The limiting of staging valve movement to this second and less than fully open position limits the usable air capacity of the carburetor to less than its maximum capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: S. Owen Dye
  • Patent number: 4170615
    Abstract: A carburetor has an induction passage, a fuel circuit and a choke valve positioned at the inlet of the induction passage. A metering rod extends transversely of the induction passage and has a variable diameter end portion projecting into an outlet of the fuel circuit. The metering rod is movable relative to the outlet in response to the choke valve opening and closing to control the quantity of fuel entering the induction passage. An opening force is exerted on the choke valve in response to the vacuum created in the engine, the exertion of this opening force being delayed until after an initial opening force has been exerted on the choke valve. The exertion of the second opening force moves the choke valve from a first position to a second and more fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Kalert, John C. Green
  • Patent number: 4169872
    Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine. A carburetor body has an induction passage for air to be drawn into the engine. A throttle valve is positioned in the induction passage and is movable between an open and a closed position to control the quantity of air drawn into the engine. A staging valve is positioned in the induction passage and is movable between an open and a closed position. The staging valve is closed during engine cranking and is moved to a first open position when the engine starts and toward its fully open position as the engine warms up. The opening movement of the staging valve is limited to a second open position which is less than its fully open position. The limiting of staging valve movement to this second and less than fully open position limits the usable air capacity of the carburetor to less than its maximum capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Fred E. Latz, Kenneth A. Berkbigler
  • Patent number: 4169871
    Abstract: A staged multi-barrel carburetor (C) has two air induction passages (P) and first and second throttle valves (T1,T2) one of which is positioned in each of the respective induction passages. The first throttle valve (T1) is operable to open prior to the second throttle valve (T2) opening, and a countershaft (CS) is interconnected with the first throttle valve for rotation therewith as it opens and closes. The countershaft is interconnected (1) with the second throttle valve to open it as the first throttle valve opens, but not until the first throttle valve has opened to a predetermined open position (15). Opening movement of the second throttle valve, after the first throttle valve has opened to its predetermined open position, is delayed (21) if engine vacuum exceeds a predetermined level thereby to prevent lags in engine performance which may occur during engine acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Eason
  • Patent number: 4167169
    Abstract: A fuel flow control system which, in response to the true mass of air entering the throttle body of an engine, provides a regulated flow of fuel to the throttle body, thereby delivering the optimum mass fuel-air ratio to the engine and maintaining idealized engine performance. The air flow rate drawn through the throttle body by the engine is monitored along with air temperature and pressure, and an electronic control circuit computes the true mass of air and the ideal fuel flow rate which will produce the optimum mass fuel-air ratio. The circuit generates a command signal to a novel fuel flow regulating assembly which adjusts the fuel flow in response to the command signal. The regulating assembly includes a control valve positionable in response to the command signal and a pressure differential mechanism movably responsive to the control valve position. A fuel flow metering valve in turn is positioned by the pressure differential mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1979
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack M. White
  • Patent number: 4156704
    Abstract: A staged carburetor has a body in which a pair of induction passages are formed, an inner passage having a venturi and an outer passage encircling the inner passage. A throttle valve positioned at the outlet of the pair of passages controls the flow of air through the passages. Fuel is delivered to the inner passage through a fuel circuit having an outlet at the venturi. A fuel metering rod extends transversely of the passages and has a variable diameter end portion projecting into the outlet. The metering rod is movable relative to the outlet to vary the quantity of fuel delivered. An air valve positioned in the outer passage normally closes the passage whereby air is initially drawn into the engine only through the inner passage. Increased demand for air by the engine results in opening of the air valve so air is drawn into the engine through both passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Kalert, John C. Green
  • Patent number: 4132751
    Abstract: A carburetor for an internal combustion engine has an air passage through which air is drawn into the engine, an unbalanced choke valve positioned in the air passage and movable between a closed position and a fully open position, a thermostatic device responsive to engine temperature for urging the choke valve closed with a force which diminishes as engine temperature increases, and a suction motor responsive to engine vacuum for urging the choke valve open with a force which increases as engine vacuum increases. The position of the choke valve at any time is determined by the net effect of the above said forces. A load is applied to the choke valve when it is closed to dampen its movement during cranking of the engine to facilitate starting. Further, the load forces the choke valve closed when it is between its closed position and a predetermined position intermediate its closed and fully open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Jerry H. Winkley
  • Patent number: 4132327
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a hatch cover opening and closing assembly is provided including a locking handle having a yoke pivotably mounted about a vertically extending shaft located in the center portion of the cover. The shaft extends downwardly through a guide which depends from the cover. The guide includes at least one generally vertical indexing slot. Below the cover a laterally extending pin and a plurality of radially extending locking arms are attached to the shaft. A plurality of locking lugs are mounted on the internal surface of the coaming. The shaft is rotatable by the handle to move the locking arms into and out of engagement with the locking lugs. However the pin must be located within the indexing slot to move the locking arms vertically into engagement with the locking lugs. When the shaft is rotated so that the pin is located out of the slot, but in engagement with the guide, the handle may be used to pivot the cover about a hinge into open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Van Dyke, James C. Hammonds, Patricia S. Stoller
  • Patent number: 4130609
    Abstract: An accelerator pump for providing additional fuel to the carburetor of an internal combustion engine during acceleration permits staged or sequential operation of the pump while employing simplified construction. The structure is arranged so that the accelerating pump is caused to travel during an initial opening of a primary throttle of the carburetor, after which the pump ceases to move until a secondary throttle begins to open, at which time additional pumping action is accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1978
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Fiedler
  • Patent number: 4129048
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a power press or tool guard is provided. The guard includes a first generally vertical protective portion which is made of a protective material which is at least partly transparent through which the operator may view the operation of the tool or press; and a second protective portion which depends from the first protective portion and extends inwardly toward the press or tool. The second protective porton includes a plurality of arms or tynes which are pivotably mounted on the lower portion of the first protective portion. The inclination of the arms or tynes on a given side of the guard may be varied by a control member mounted on the first protective portion. In addition the length of individual tynes may be adjusted by loosening fasteners which hold the tynes in place depending from the first protective portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Shocklee, Edward H. Tayloe
  • Patent number: 4105726
    Abstract: Solenoid apparatus. First and second electrical windings are supplied current and the current flow through each of the windings induces respective magnetic fields the strengths of which are functions of the average current flow therethrough and the magnetic fields combine to produce a net magnetic field. An armature is movable in either of two directions between a first position and a second position through a predetermined number of discrete intermediate positions. The armature is biased toward one of the intermediate positions constituting a reference position and the position of the armature at any one time is determined by the strength of the net magnetic field and a biasing force on the armature. A current source supplies current to the windings and the current source is controllable to vary the average current flow in each winding to produce movement of the armature from one position to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allen W. Lindberg